Major SkyTrain shutdown due to technical issues

Update (5:20 p.m.) –SkyTrain Expo Line stations are now open. Normal service is expected to resume in 30 to 45 minutes.

Update (4:10 p.m.) – SkyTrain Millennium Line is back up and running between VCC-Clark and Sapperton Stations.

Update (3:45 p.m.) – Vancouver Police Department has suspended taxi enforcement to help SkyTrain commuters get home, meaning that taxis from out-of-Vancouver can come into the city to pick up fares until SkyTrain service is back up and running.

More on this as it develops…

EARLIER

SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium Lines are completely shut down due to a major technical glitch that is also affecting the communication network.

According to TransLink, the control centre is unable to communicate with the trains and the station platforms. This also means that public announcements over speakers cannot be made to passengers inside trains and platforms.

Technicians are working on the issue and there is no ETA for when the system will be back and running. System issues first arose just after 12 p.m.

SkyTrain attendants are also walking along the tracks to stopped trains, opening car doors and guiding passengers safely towards the nearest station. In some cases, attendants have been able to manually drive trains back to the nearest station.

For your safety, please do not leave your car unless your are told to by an attendant. The tracks are still live with electricity and one misstep could be fatal.

Bus bridges along both SkyTrain lines have been set-up, but their reliability is limited. TransLink has asked passengers to utilize the bus system or plan alternate methods of transportation.

The Canada Line is not affected as it runs on its own independent system, however, more of its trains are being put into service to provide passengers with greater access to east-west crosstown buses.